Paying Photographic Homage to Harbin’s Opera House

In 2015, construction was completed on the Opera House in Harbin, a frigid city in China’s northernmost province, and it quickly became a muse for designers and photographers alike. Designed by MAD architects, the Harbin Opera house is known for its sinuous metallic exterior and geometric skylights. The design was inspired by Harbin’s icy winter climate and harsh wilderness (average winter temperature: negative 1-degree Fahrenheit)—so it’s supposed to look like it was sculpted by wind and water.

(Hufton and Crow Photography)(Hufton and Crow Photography)

Because of its design and the surrounding wetlands, the opera house is an inspiring structure to photograph, especially for architectural photographer Iwan Baan. The dutch photographer’s work makes buildings stand out in their environment as isolated and static beings. In a short film produced by Rasmus Daniel Taun, Baan discusses how he sets out to document the opera house’s relationship with Harbin. Hear his take on photographing the opera house in freezing temperatures below. In addition to the video, RealClearLife has provided detailed shots of the sweeping structure in Harbin.